My Personal Truck and Travel Trailer Suspension Solution Experience
Before I started working at SuperSprings International, I was a customer. I drive a 2016 Ford F-250 4×4 and pull a 28 foot bunkhouse travel trailer. My family and I love to go out on long drives and explore this wonderful country we are so blessed to live in. We purchased our trailer in 2017, and have since been to over 10 states and on too many trips to count. And we’re still just getting started! We decided on a bumper pull trailer because we wanted the extra room in the truck bed, and because it was the best floor plan option for us, our three kiddos (bunkhouse to the rescue), and two dogs.
Driving Experience Before SumoSprings
One thing I noticed during our first few trips out was that my truck was sagging over 2.5 inches when the trailer was on (even with an equalizer hitch). When driving on the highways I could really feel the wind blowing the trailer around behind us, especially when a 18 wheeler would pass by. After I talked to several trusted friends and fellow RVers, we were considering that we needed to move to a fifth-wheel, and possibly get air bags for my truck. I’m generally someone who does a lot of research before I buy anything, and so, I set out to find solutions.
Before: 2.5″ of sag with the travel trailer attached.
Introducing SumoSprings
Around that same time I had been talking to a someone I knew at SSI and he mentioned their products help solve my problems. A few weeks later, I was getting SumoSprings installed on my F-250, and my Trailer SumoSprings on my trailer.
For the F-250, we went with blue Rebel SumoSprings in the rear, and Coil SumoSprings in the front. We measured before and after and I went from 2.5 inches of sag in the rear with the trailer on to just 0.5 inches of sag. Also, because I opted for the front Coil SumoSprings in the front I no longer felt the rocking and bouncing in the front of the truck when I went over freeway bumps or bridges. For the complete truck and travel trailer suspension package, I went with Trailer SumoSprings on my travel trailer and wow, they made a huge difference.
Driving Experience After SumoSprings
The wind shake on freeways almost completely went away, and they eliminated the big shake when 18 wheelers pass by. So instead of making the jump to a new fifth-wheel, and airbags that require consistent monitoring – I solved my suspension problems with a maintenance-free, complete solution for truck and travel trailer: Front, Rear, and Trailer SumoSprings.
I hope this is helpful to any of you out there with a truck and bumper pull trailer looking for a better ride. Check out SumoSprings.
Adventure always. Journey better.
After: 0.5″ sag after installing SumoSprings.
as well as some of the Trailer SumoSprings actually installed.
Trailer SumoSprings close-up.
Comments 25
Hi my name is Brian Alt and just a quick word about supersprings. I bought a set for my Tacoma I think back in 2014.
Awesome product!! In fact, I have used the same set of Supersprings on what is now the 4th truck. They have something like a million miles on them. If you want to stop your truck from squatting with weight in it. Nothing better. I will speak highly of this product and the company forever. Thank you Supersprings. These are real comments. Ten times better than air shocks. please post this any way you like.
Brian Alt
Canyon Country, CA
I have a 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road and I’m purchasing a Geopro travel trailer with GVW of 4337 lbs and tongue weight of 407 lbs. I do moderate off roading and have not had any issues. For my 4runner which Sumoshocks would you recommend? Can the suspension enhancement just be put on the rear of the vehicle or should some suspension enhancement be put on the front as well, and if so can you make a recommendation? We intend to have the 4runner for many years and go on long road trips so are looking for products that will prolong suspension life.
Hi Orville,
Thank you for your interest in the Sumosprings for your 4Runner!
First, I’d recommend the Blue SumoSprings Solo kit for the rear end. That would be part SSR-623-40 (https://www.superspringsinternational.com/shop/ssr-623-40/).
This kit replaces the factory bump stop and is the lightest density we offer so it’s perfect for a loaded vehicle, unloaded vehicle and one that does off-roading as well!
The front is not necessarily NEEDED, but it is good to think about all four corners of the suspension when making an upgrade. If you decide to upgrade the front as well, I’d recommend the Coil SumoSprings, part CSS-1069 (https://www.superspringsinternational.com/shop/css-1069/).
The Coil SumoSprings install into the center of the coil spring to increase coil stability and capacity by 15% – 30% depending on fitment.
Take a look and let me know if you have any questions!
I have a 2018 f150 FX4 with Trailer Tow Package, and tow a La Crosse 3399se(8500lb dry, 850 hitch). The weight distribution hitch does a pretty good job. I would like to reduce the porpoise motion when going over bridge joints and road cracks. Should I go with the 1500 sumo bumper stopper or 1000?
Hi Carmen,
Thank you for your question. If your main goal in enhancing the rear suspension is improving the comfort and quality of the ride, to with the blue SumoSprings kit (1,000 lbs. capacity at 50% compression). If additional carrying capacity is the main concern, then we’d recommend the black SumoSprings kit (1,500 lbs. capacity at 50% compression).
Great Post!!
After some research I decided to go with the yellow. I drive a 2012 Tundra and tow a 31′ Bullet Premier, dry weight is only 5300 lbs. but the tongue weight is 715 lbs. Even with a WD Hitch I still see some sag, about 2 inches. Hope I didn’t make a mistake by getting the yellow. I know it will reduce the sag but how will my non-towig drive be? Should I have gone with the blue or black. Just received them yesterday and won’t get them installed until this weekend. Any thoughts??
Hi Joe,
Yes, we typically only recommend the yellow SumoSprings kit on a commercial type application, or a vehicle that is going to be loaded up pretty much all day, every day. I would expect the unloaded ride quality to suffer because of the amount of spring rate in the yellow SumoSprings kit (-54). If you ordered directly from supersprings.com, feel free to try them out and if need be, request a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number within 30 days of delivery. If you ordered elsewhere, I would recommend to look into the return policy before installing.
I have a class A RV that sags in the back, which causes me clearance issues when driving over a change in grade, in addition to realizing that this isn’t good for the health or safety of the coach.
As far as I can tell, I don’t have excessive stuff in the back that I can move forward, but mostly I just have limited storage space towards the front for me to utilize and all of the liquid tanks are in the back, which I can’t move.
I think the Super Springs probably would be what I need, as opposed to the Sumo Springs? Would that do the trick or should I work on saving up for air bags? Thanks!
Author
Hi Michelle – send me an email at [email protected] with your year / make / model / GVWR and we will get you a personalized recommendation. We are standard equipment on many Class A rv brands like Tiffin, Coachmen, and Winnebago.
hello, I have a 2018 Silverado 1500 4×4 with tow package.
I will be looking to haul a 6000lb travel trailer as well as have a quad in the bed of the truck and all the gear that goes along with it all.
Im not sure if I should be looking at the blue or black sumosprings.
what would be your recommendation and why?
thank you.
Author
Mark – considering your in a 1500 and have a quad in the back – I’d go with the black if you get out pretty regularly. As Peter said the blue is great if you’re typically unloaded to keep your ride quality the same. If you go black you’ll squat less, but if you’re mostly unloaded you might feel the springs a bit more. I’ve had both on my F250. I’ve now settled on the black because I want the least squat – but I can feel the difference in the unloaded ride when I go over a speed bump.
Hi Belinda,
Yes, sway reduction is a byproduct of the design of SumoSprings. The SSR-610-40 is 6 inches tall, compared to the 3 inch factory bump stop. Because of the added height, the SumoSprings are able to engage more quickly to reduce the side-to-side sway.
SSR-610-40 https://www.superspringsinternational.com/application-guide/SSR-610-40
I have a 2012 Nissan Frontier truck and I am towing a 3100 pound 20 foot travel trailer. Does Sumo Springs help with sway? Rather than getting a weight distribution hitch with a sway bar I am hoping that just getting Sumo Springs will do the trick.
Had Sumo Springs put on my Thor ACE 34.1 about a month ago. Well worth the money; less than $2000 installed. They have taken away the jarring and reduced the sway. No more white knuckle driving. I’m glad I came across a fellow RVer’s video who had them installed earlier. A much improved ride.
Author
Ed, thank you for sharing! We love to hear about this kind of difference made on your ride. Makes those long hauls a lot more enjoyable!
Adam
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your question! SumoSprings are designed to improve ride quality by damping road shock and vibration, reduce side-to-side sway, and enhance the overall handle and stability of your motorhome. To help you with the proper part numbers, please let me know the coach gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). You can email me at [email protected], or call my direct line (805) 881-5205.
Thanks again Dave!
I’m desperately seeking suspension/ handling upgrades for my 2011 28’ Fleetwood Encounter on an F53 chassis.
I have new rubber , Bilsteins, and safety steer. What improvement would I expect by adding Sumos? Ffr
I have a 2002 Tahoe. Will be pulling a car trailer and currently I experience pretty bad sag. The jounce/bump stops are pretty well rotted. How well would sumo springs help?
Author
Hi Mike!
I think the SumoSprings would make a big difference in your towing experience, especially if those factory bump stops are worn. Email me at [email protected] or give me a call at (805)881-5202 and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of. Have a wonderful day! Thanks for reading.
I did order some. I installed them a couple days ago. Trailer sits totally different and the ride on the highway is probably 50% better than it was. These things are great!
I’ll be recommending them bigtime!
I am pulling a 6,000 pounds fith wheel 25,5 Feet with a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 with a Bleu sumo Spring installl on the rear axle of the vehicle , would a Sumo speing Bleu spring install onthe axle of the fith wheel help on the the suspension and with type of Sumo spring i required.Thank you
Hi there,
Peter here, thanks for your comment! With the right application, our Trailer SumoSprings can really make a difference! What type of axle is your trailer built on? The Trailer SumoSprings will work on Lippert Axles. We’d also like to know the GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating), and if the spring pack is over, or under the axle. Check out this quick article on your question: https://www.superspringsinternational.com/2018/11/truck-and-travel-trailer-the-complete-suspension-solution/
You can also email me at [email protected]
Thanks again!
Love this article and photo’s Adam.
Author
Thank you Ashleigh!